Former Sen. John Edwards: Iowa Visits
updated through January 3, 2008   47 visits, 110 days
visits by county >
2007 plus Jan. 1-3, 2008 (32 visits, 85 days)
December plus January 1-3, 2008 (3.5 visits, 23 days)
>Former Sen. John Edwards did an eight-day, 38-county "America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class" bus tour in Iowa from December 27, 2007-January 3, 2008, including a 36-hour "Marathon for the Middle Class" starting on the morning of January 1.  The tour covered 917 miles and 15 counties [Appanoose, Cass, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Johnson, Lee, Linn, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Story, Union,
Wappello, and Webster].
On December 27 he held a "Main Street Meet & Greet" at Mulligan's Grill Pub in Waukon; a "Countdown to Caucus" event at Luther College, Peace Dining Hall in Decorah; a "Countdown to Caucus" event at AMVETS Post 79 in Waverly; and an "America Rising" rally at East High School, Commons in Waterloo, overnighting in the Waterloo area.
On December 28 he held a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at Bill's Pizza & Smoke House in Independence; a "Countdown to Caucus" event at Colts Community Center in Dubuque; a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at Clinton High School in Clinton; a "Main Street Meet & Greet" at the Tipton Family Restaurant in Tipton; and an "America Rising" rally at the Putnam Museum & Imax Theatre in Davenport, overnighting in Davenport.
On December 29 he held a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at the Holiday Inn in Muscatine; a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at the Public Library in Washington; a "Countdown to Caucus" event at Knoxville High School cafeteria in Knoxville; and an "America Rising" rally at East High School cafeteria in Des Moines, overnighting in Des Moines.
On December 30 he held a "Countdown to Caucus" event at the Giggling Goat banquet hall in Boone; a "Countdown to Caucus" event at Carroll High School, media center in Carroll; a "Main Street Meet & Greet" at Cronks Café in Denison; a drop-by at the Beef n' Brew in Mapleton; and an "America Rising" rally at the Convention Center in Sioux City, overnighting in the Storm Lake area.
On December 31 he held a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at Buena Vista University, Science Center Atrium in Storm Lake; a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer; dropped by the Pizza Ranch in Emmetsburg; held a "Countdown to Caucus" event at the VFW Hall in Algona; and attended a New Year's Eve Party at the campaign's field office on N. Federal in Mason City.
On the early afternoon of January 1, 2008 he started his "Marathon for the Middle Class" with a New Year's Day event at Iowa State University Memorial Union in Ames; held a New Year's Day event at Friendship Haven retirement community in Fort Dodge; dropped by a phone bank at United Steelworkers Local 164 in Des Moines; (campaign bus electrical difficulties); and dropped by the campaign's Council Bluffs office on North 34th Street.
On January 2 he visited a "Midnight GOTC Party" with core supporters and volunteers at the home of Denise O'Brien, the 2006 Democratic nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, in Atlantic; visited with core supporters in a 2:15 a.m. stop at the home of Jan Knock in Creston; attended a pancake breakfast with supporters and volunteers at the home of Deb Kury in Centerville; dropped by the Edwards for President campaign office on Church Street in Ottumwa for a canvass kickoff; held a discussion with undecided caucus goers at 2nd Street Café in Fairfield, then brought coffee to the traveling press on their bus; dropped by a canvass kickoff at the home of Bob Petrezelka in Mount Pleasant; held a discussion with undecided caucus goers at the Ivy Bake Shoppe in Fort Madison; dropped by the campaign's office on Mount Pleasant Street in Burlington; met with caucus goers at Capanna Coffee Company in Iowa City; held a "Countdown to Caucus" event at Marriott Cedar Rapids in Cedar Rapids; held a discussion with undecided caucus goers at Saints Rest Coffee House in Grinnell; and wrapped up the "Marathon for the Middle Class" with a "This is Our Country" rally, including a performance by John Mellencamp, at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines.
On January 3 he thanked volunteers and rallied supporters at United Steelworkers Local 164 in Des Moines; dropped by the Mill Restaurant in Iowa City; thanked volunteers and rallied supporters at the campaign's office on 3rd Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids; and held a "Your Time is Now" Caucus Night rally at the Renaissance Savery Hotel, Terrance Ballroom in Des Moines.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on a “Fighting for America’s Voice” tour on December 20-22, 2007.  Special guests included James Lowe on all three days, the Lakey family on the final two days, and Doug Bishop on the final day.
On December 20 he held a “Countdown to Caucus” event at the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs; a “Countdown to Caucus” event at the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars; and a “Countdown to Caucus” event at the Woodbury County Courthouse atrium in Sioux City.
On December 21 he was a guest on Iowa Public Television’s "Iowa Press" at Iowa Public Television in Johnston; delivered a speech at Des Moines Area Community College West Campus - The Elipse in West Des Moines; held a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at Score Pavillion in Nevada; and held a “Countdown to Caucus” event at the American Legion in Tama.
On December 22 he held a roundtable discussion with undecided caucus goers at Lisbon School library in Lisbon; and kicked off a canvass at the Holiday Inn in Coralville; [and hold a “Countdown to Caucus” event at Clinton High School in Clintoncanceled due to poor weather conditions].

>Former Sen. John Edwards did an eight-day "Main Street Express" bus tour in Iowa on December 10-17, 2007.
On December 10 he kicked off the bus tour at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines; stopped by the campaign's headquarters in Des Moines to thank the staff and volunteers and make a few calls; and in the early evening held a community meeting at Marshalltown Senior High School in Marshalltown.
[Starting early afternoon on December 11 (he plans to hold a community meeting at Eagle Point Lodge in Clinton)canceled due to poor weather conditions; join Iowa mothers at a "Safe Home Session" sponsored by the United Steelworkers' "Get the Lead Out" campaign (to test toys for lead and help draw attention to flawed trade policies) at the home of Women of Steel member Janice Payne in Davenport; and hold a community meeting at Eastern Iowa Community College in Muscatine).schedule canceled due to poor weather conditions]. On December 11 he stopped by the Hamburg Inn #2 in Iowa City in the mid-afternoon.
Starting mid-day on December 12 he held a town hall at Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City; held a town hall at the Eagles Club in Grinnell; and held a town hall at Weeks Middle School auditorium in Des Moines.
On December 13 he participated in the Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate in Johnston; and held a community meeting at the Warren County Historical Museum in Indianola.
On December 14 he held a community meeting at the Cedar Lodge Steak House in Manchester; and held a community meeting at Elkader Opera House in Elkader.
On December 15 he held a town hall at Loras College - Alumi Center Ballroom in Dubuque; held a town hall at University of Northern Iowa's Maucker Union in Cedar Falls; and held a town hall at Music Man Square in Mason City.
On December 16 he delivered a policy address on lifting up America's middle class and held a town hall at Ames High School cafeteria in Ames; held a community meeting at Colfax-Mingo High School in Colfax; and held a community meeting at Indian Hills Community College - Rural Health Education Center in Ottumwa.
On the afternoon of December 17 he held a bus tour finale event at the Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines; held a bus tour finale event at Coe College's Gage Memorial Union in Cedar Rapids; and held a bus tour finale event at River Center, South Concourse in Davenport.

...visit continues from November (December 1-4).

November (5.5 visits, 10 days)
>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on November 30-December 4, 2007.
[Earlier in the day spoke at the DNC Fall Meeting in Vienna, VA]  On the evening of November 30 he attended the First Annual Culver-Judge Holiday Party at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines.
On December 1 in Des Moines he participated in the Every Child Matters Presidential Candidate Forum at Drake Legal Clinic, Middleton Children's Rights Center; spoke at the Heartland Presidential Forum hosted by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Citizens for Community Change at Hy-Vee Hall; met with retired admirals and generals, hosted by Human Rights First, at the Suites at 800 Locust; and participated in the Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum at North High School.
On December 2 he held a community meeting at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge; held a community meeting at the Hydrogen Engine Center at Dana Hollinger Industrial Park in Algona; and held a community meeting at Mason City High School in Mason City.
On the afternoon and evening of December 3 he held a community meeting at Hawkeye Community College auditorium in Waterloo; held a community meeting at Iowan Motor Lodge in Fort Madison; and held a community meeting at Burlington High School in Burlington.
On the afternoon of December 4 he participated in the NPR News-Iowa Public Radio Debate at the State of Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines; and held a community meeting at Iowa State University's Memorial Union in Ames.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on November 29, 2007.  He spoke at the Iowa State Association of Counties' Fall School of Instruction at the Marriott Downtown in Des Moines; and delivered remarks to the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council at the Hotel Vetro in Iowa City.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on November 19-20, 2007.  On November 19 he held a community meeting with special performances from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at Davenport North High School – Auditorium in Davenport; held a community meeting with special performances from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at City High School - Auditorium in Iowa City; and held a community meeting with special performances from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at Coe College – Sinclair Auditorium in Cedar Rapids.  On the afternoon of November 20 he held a community meeting with special performances from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at Grinnell College – Harris Center Concert Hall in Grinnell; and held a community meeting with special performances from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at Roosevelt High School - Auditorium in Des Moines.  (fewer events than normal because of need to move sound equipment).

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on November 14, 2007.  He spoke at the United Auto Workers Region 4 Presidential Candidates Forum at Grand River Center in Dubuque; visited an informational picket with nurses at Finley Hospital in Dubuque; attended a community meeting at the Renaissance Center in Monticello; and spoke at a community meeting at Maquoketa Middle School cafeteria in Maquoketa.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on November 9-11, 2007.
On November 9 he received the endorsement of Caucus for Priorities at the Best Western Des Moines Airport Hotel; held a town hall meeting at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City; held a community meeting at Swan Lake Conservation Center - Education Center in Carroll; held a community meeting at Greene County Court House in Jefferson; and made a brief appearance on stage at the John Mellencamp concert at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Starting at noon on November 10 in Des Moines he spoke at the Iowa Farmers Union’s 2007 Food and Family Farm Presidential Summit at Downtown Marriott; attended an event with the Carpenters Union at Hotel Fort Des Moines; attended a rally with supporters prior to the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in the lobby at the Polk County Convention Complex; and spoke at the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
On November 11 he delivered a major address, marking Veterans Day and the release of an 80-page policy book "The Plan to Build One America," at the State Historical Building in Des Moines; attended a fundraiser for Johnson County Supervisor Terrence Neuzil and Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek at Eagles Lodge in Iowa City; attended a fundraiser for State Rep. Art Staed at Blend Restaurant in Cedar Rapids; and attended Congressman Bruce Braley's Bruce, Blues, and BBQ fundraiser at the Fountain Park Event Center in Dubuque.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on November 4-5, 2007.  On November 4 he held a community meeting at Charles City Public Library in Charles City; held a community meeting at Waverly Civic Center in Waverly; participated in a University of Northern Iowa presidential candidate forum -- "Back to School: Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities in American Education" at the University of Northern Iowa's Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls; attended a fundraiser for State Representative Ro Foege at the Lincoln Café in Mount Vernon; and held a community meeting at Williamsburg Community Recreation Center in Williamsburg.  On November 5 he delivered a major foreign policy speech at the Iowa Memorial Union - Richie Ballroom in Iowa City; held a community meeting at Hotel Ottumwa in Ottumwa; and held a community meeting at Smokey Row Coffee Shop in Oskaloosa; and participate in a forum at Iowa State University's Biobased Industry Outlook Conference at Iowa State University Hilton Coliseum in Ames.did not make the Ames event due to scheduling conflicts.

October (3 visits, 11 days)
>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on October 24-27, 2007.
On October 24 he held a community meeting at American Legion Hall Post 141 in Glenwood; held a community meeting at The Gathering Place in Sidney; held a community meeting at The Depot in Shenandoah; and held a community meeting at Anderson Conservation Area - Wolfe Nature Center in Red Oak.
On October 25 after a long drive from the Council Bluffs area, he held a community meeting at Corning High School - Activities Center in Corning; held a community meeting at Bedford Fire Department in Bedford; and held a community meeting at the Indianola High School media center in Indianola.
On October 26 he held a discussion with STAR*PAC at the First Christian Church – Fellowship Hall in Des Moines; delivered a major policy speech at The Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines; held a community meeting at Boone City Hall in Boone; held a community meeting at Riverbend Middle School in Iowa Falls; and held a community meeting at Forest City High School in Forest City.
On October 27 he held a community meeting at Coulter Community Center in Coulter (a milestone...he has now visited and answered questions from Iowans in all 99 Iowa counties >); spoke at the League of Rural Voters 2007 National Summit on Agriculture and Rural Life at Iowa State University – Scheman Education Center in Ames; held a community meeting at the Iowa Veterans Home – Malloy Building in Marshalltown; held a community meeting at Des Moines Area Community College, Newton Campus in Newton; and held a “99 County, 50 State Path to Victory” event at Drake University's Olmstead Center in Des Moines.

>Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on October 15-17, 2007.
On October 15 he received the endorsement of Iowa SEIU at the Eckstein Medical Research Building atrium in Iowa City.
On October 16-17 he did a two-day, nine-county "Barnstorm for Rural America."
On October 16 he toured the Dunlap Auction House and held a community meeting on agricultural issues including country-of-origin labeling in Dunlap; held a community meeting to discuss protecting family farms at the Rosman Family Farm in Harlan; held a community meeting to discuss strengthening rural schools at Exira High School in Exira; held a town square community meeting to discuss Main Street revitalization at The Commons in Greenfield; and held a community meeting to discuss his rural revitalization plan at Waukee Elementary School in Waukee.
On October 17 he toured the Rock Rapids Volunteer Fire Department and held a community meeting to discuss his plans to support first responders in Rock Rapids; held a community meeting to discuss strengthening rural education Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in Sibley; held a community meeting to discuss his plan to create rural jobs in the new energy economy at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville; and visited Linus Solberg's family hog farm in Cylinder (between Emmetsburg and Algona) to highlight his plan to protect family farms against consolidation by agribusiness conglomerates.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on October 5-8, 2007, making stops in 17 counties.
On October 5 he held a community meeting at Spahn and Rose Lumber in Cresco; held a community meeting at Farmers and Merchants Saving Bank in Waukon; held a community meeting at Schera’s Restaurant and Bar in Elkader; and attended a fundraiser for Fayette County Democrats at Upper Iowa University's Garbee Hall – East Cafeteria in Fayette.
On October 6, accompanied by Elizabeth Edwards on all stops, he held a town hall at McKinstry Elementary School gym in Waterloo; attended a fundraiser for Buchanan County Democrats at the home of Gary and Deanna McElroy in Winthrop; held a town hall at C.B. Vernon Middle School gym in Marion; spoke at the Johnson County Democrats' Annual Barbeque at Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City; and held a community meeting Washington High School old gym in Washington.
On October 7 he joined United Steelworkers International Vice President Tom Conway to kickoff a canvass with the United Steelworkers at the Edwards for President field office parking lot on East River Drive in Davenport; attended a fundraiser for State Rep. Nathan Reichert at Strawberry Farm Bed & Breakfast in Muscatine; held a community meeting at the Masonic Lodge reception hall in Mount Pleasant; held a community meeting at Lincoln Elementary School gym in Fairfield; and held a community meeting at the Albia High School music room in Albia.
On October 8 he held a community meeting at the Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne County in Corydon; held a community meeting at Central Decatur High School in Leon; and held a community meeting at Ramsey Farm in Mount Ayr.

September (4 visits, 6 days)
>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on September 20-21, 2007.  On the evening of September 20 he participated in the AARP Forum at Adler Theatre in Davenport.  On the afternoon of September 21 he spoke at the East Polk Interagency Association lunch at Adventureland Inn in Altoona; delivered a major education policy address at Brody Middle School in Des Moines; and held a community meeting in Guthrie Center High School in Guthrie Center.

>Former Sen. John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards walked the grounds and met with attendees and he spoke at the 30th Annual Harkin Steak Fry at the Balloon Fields in Indianola, Iowa on September 16, 2007.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on September 3, 2007.  Arriving from Pittsburgh, where he received the endorsements of the United Steelworkers and United Mine Workers, he participated in the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor’s Labor Day Fest in Des Moines, walking in the parade to the Iowa State Fairgrounds, doing the picnic and rally at the 4-H Building and holding a media availability; held a community meeting at the Clarke County Courthouse in Osceola; and held a community meeting at Bizzy's Ice Cream in Chariton.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on September 1-2, 2007.  Early on the evening of September 1 he held a community meeting at McDowell Lumber in Vinton.  On September 2 he held a community meeting at Cedar County Courthouse in Tipton; participated in the Labor Congress' Annual Labor Day Picnic at Eagle Point Lodge at Eagle Point Park in Clinton; held a town hall at Leech Park in Bettendorf; and held a community meeting at Keokuk County Courthouse in Sigourney.  (He then left for Pittsburgh).

August (3 visits, 10 days)
>In Cedar Rapids Iowa on August 27, 2007, former Sen. John Edwards participated in the LiveStrong Presidential Cancer Forum at U.S. Cellular Center; and met with the Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial board.

>Former Sen. John Edwards did a seven-day "Fighting for One America" bus tour in Iowa from August 13-19, 2007, starting at his state headquarters, stopping in 30 counties, and finishing at the Democratic Presidential Debate at Drake University.  Elizabeth Edwards did joint and solo events.
August 13: Theme “Taking Responsibility for Ending the War in Iraq”…Des Moines, Perry, Jefferson, Carroll, Denison, Onawa.  Edwards kicked off the bus tour at the campaign headquarters in Des Moines (arrived late; Mrs. Edwards had planned to attend but had a bit of stomach upset; a planned stop at the State Fair also did not occur); they held a community meeting at Hometown Perry, Iowa Museum in Perry; held a community meeting at Greene County Courthouse in Jefferson; stopped by the campaign’s field office at 217 West 4th Street in Carroll; held a community meeting at Cronk's Café; and held a community meeting at Dan's Pizza in Onawa.
August 14: Theme “Restoring Economic Fairness to Rural America”…Sioux City, Ida Grove, Rockwell City, Pocahontas, Clarion, Clear Lake.  The Edwardses attended a Woodbury Democrats Truman Club breakfast at the residence of Tim and Kathy Bottaro in Sioux City; held a community meeting at BozWellz Pub and Eatery in Ida Grove; held a community meeting at Twin Lakes Steakhouse in Rockwell City; held a community meeting at Sidelines Restaurant at Family Fun Zone in Pocahontas; held a community meeting at Gazebo Park in Clarion; and held a town hall at Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake.
August 15: Theme “Building One America by Rewarding Work”…Manly, Osage, Charles City, Waterloo, Waverly.  The Edwardses held a community meeting at Ralph's Café in Manly; held a community meeting at Maple Inn Café in Osage; held a community meeting at Floyd County Historical Museum in Charles City; he addressed the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Convention Presidential Forum at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo; and attend a Bremer County Democrats fundraiser at Waverly Civic Center in Waverly.
August 16: Theme “Making Health Care Affordable and Universal”…Grundy Center, Ames, Des Moines, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa.  Edwards held a community meeting at Grundy County Courthouse in Grundy Center; held a town hall at the Holiday Inn Ames Conference Center in Ames; visited the Iowa State Fair and participated in the Des Moines Register "Soapbox;" held a community meeting at the Historic Bandshell in Oskaloosa; and, with Mrs. Edwards, held a community meeting at UAW Local 74 in Ottumwa.
August 17: Theme “Achieving Energy Independence & Halting Global Warming Through a New Energy Economy”…The Edwardses held a community meeting at the Blue Bird Family Restaurant in Centerville; held a community meeting at the Davis County Courthouse Square in Bloomfield; held a community meeting at Keokuk Middle School in Keokuk; Edwards held a community meeting at The Drake Restaurant in Burlington; at the Louisa County Courthouse in Wapello; and stopped by Hamburg Inn #2 in Iowa City.
August 18: Theme “Strengthening Education in One America”…Edwards hold a town hall at the Alliant Amphitheater at the Star Brewery in Dubuque; attended state Rep. Polly Bukta’s Annual Corn Boil at Alliant Energy Field in Clinton; attended the Scott County Democrats’ Summer Picnic at the Senator Joe Seng’s Tremont Mansion in Davenport; and addressed the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO Workers for a Better Iowa at Hawkeye Downs Expo Hall in Cedar Rapids.
August 19: Theme “Fighting for One America Through Bold, Transformational Change”… Edwards participated in the ABC News/Iowa Democratic Party Debate at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium in Des Moines; and the Edwardses attended a supporter reception at DuBay's Restaurant in Des Moines.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on August 5-6, 2007.  On August 5 he participated in a workers rally in support of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 554 at Standard Ready Mix in Sioux City; held a community meeting at Windmill Square Park in Orange City; held a community meeting at Prairie Queen Bakery in Sheldon; held a community meeting at Spirit Lake High School in Spirit Lake; and held a community meeting at Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer.  On August 6 he delivered a major policy speech on fairer workplace policies and smarter trade agreements at IBEW Local 405 in Cedar Rapids.

July (3 visits, 6 days)
>Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on July 25-26, 2007.  On July 25 he joined riders including Lance Armstrong for a portion of the fourth day of RAGBRAI starting just north of Dumont and riding through to Kesley.  On July 26 he delivered a major policy speech at Grand View College in Des Moines; held a community meeting at Madison County Historical Museum in Winterset; held a community meeting at Historic Depot in Creston; held a community meeting at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce in Atlantic; and held a town hall Iowa Western Community College's Ashley Hall in Council Bluffs.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on the afternoon of July 19, 2007.  He taped "The Insiders" at WHO-TV (NBC) in Des Moines; held a community meeting at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville; and spoke to the executive board at the AFSCME Council 61 15th Biennial Convention at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines.

>Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on July 12-14, 2007.
On the evening of July 12 he held a community meeting at Fort Dodge Public Library in Fort Dodge.
On July 13 he held a community meeting at Rustix Restaurant & Reception in Humboldt; held a community meeting at Otto B. Laing Middle School in Algona; held a community meeting at the Pizza Ranch in Garner; held a community meeting at the Scenic City Boat Club in Iowa Falls; and held a community meeting at the All Cultures Center in Webster City.
On July 14 he held a community meeting at Ohnward Fine Arts Center in Maquoketa; attended the First Congressional District Caucus at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta; held a community meeting at Lawrence Community Center in Anamosa; and attended the Linn County Democrats Family BBQ at Ushers Ferry Historic Village in Cedar Rapids.

first six months of 2007 (10 visits, 19 days)
June
>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on June 15-17, 2007.
On June 15 he taped "Iowa Press" at Iowa Public Television in Johnston; held a community meeting at the Best Western Regency Inn in Marshalltown; and held a community meeting at South Tama County Elementary School in Tama.
On June 16 he and Elizabeth Edwards held a community meeting at Joe Rosenfield '25 Center (Student Union) at Grinnell College in Grinnell; attended the Iowa Change to Win Conference at North West Junior High School in Coralville; held a town hall at Johnson County Fair Building in Iowa City; (Elizabeth Edwards attended West Branch Hometown Days); held a community meeting at Cedar County Courthouse in Tipton; and held a town hall at Ashford University Library in Clinton.
On June 17 he and Elizabeth Edwards held a town hall at West Middle School in Sioux City; held a community gathering at Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars; met with Iowans at The Gathering Place in Cherokee; held a community meeting at the Historic Masonic Building in Storm Lake; held a community gathering at Depot Pizza in Sac City; and held a community meeting at Carrollton Centre in Carroll.

>Former Sen. John Edwards spoke at the Iowa Democratic Party's 2007 Hall of Fame Awards Dinner at the Five Seasons Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 2, 2007.

May
>Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on May 25-27, 2007.  Elizabeth Edwards accompanied him for most of the trip, except the first two stops in Fort Madison and Keosauqua; the focus was on America's commitment to veterans.
On May 25 he held a community meeting at the Comfort Inn in Fort Madison; a community meeting at the Hotel Manning in Keosauqua; he and Elizabeth held a community meeting at  Fairfield Public Library in Fairfield; a community meeting at the Midwest Old Threshers Museum in Mount Pleasant; and a community meeting at the Washington County Fair Building in Washington.
On May 26 the Edwardses did community meetings in the park outside Marengo Public Library in Marengo; at Vinton Public Library in Vinton; at Independence Middle School in Independence; and at Wartburg College Saemann Student Center in Waverly.
On May 27 the Edwardses did community meetings at New Hampton Community Center in New Hampton; at Hotel Winneshiek-Steyer Opera House in Decorah; at The Dancing Lion in Oelwein; and at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Community Center in Manchester.

>Former Sen. John Edwards held a town hall meeting at Central Library in Des Moines, Iowa on May 15, 2007 during which he "launched 'Women for Edwards' and laid out his agenda to ensure fairness and equality for women.

April
>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on April 20-22, 2007 wrapping up a multi-state tour to unveil his New Rural Recovery Agenda.
On April 20 he announced his Rural Recovery Act at Italian Villages Restaurant in Adel; attended a community meeting at Boone County Historical Center in Boone; and spoke at the Polk County Democrats' 2007 Spring Fundraiser with Congressman Leonard Boswell in Walnut Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
On April 21 he attended a house party at the home of Ray and Joanne Walton in Indianola; and held a community meeting at Muscatine High School commons in Muscatine.
On April 22 he held a community meeting at Elks Lodge #375 in Mason City; held a town hall at Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo; and held a community meeting at Fort Dodge Senior High School library in Fort Dodge.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa with his wife Elizabeth and children Jack and Emma Claire on April 3-4, 2007.  Arriving from NH on April 3, he held a town hall at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids.  On April 4 he met with the Quad City Times ed board; held a town hall at the Golden Leaf Banquet and Convention Center in Davenport; and in the late afternoon he held a town hall at Theodore Roosevelt High School Gymnasium in Des Moines.  Elizabeth Edwards accompanied him at all events; the two children only attended the Des Moines event.

March
>Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on March 20, 2007.  He met with the Des Moines Register editorial board; met with members of the Iowa House Democratic caucus at the Capitol; and toured the Biomass Energy Conversion Center (BECON) in Nevada and spoke on global warming and creating a new energy economy; and attend a house party at the home of Ray and Joanne Walton in Indianolacanceled citing desire to accompany his wife to a medical appointment the next day.

>Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on March 9-10, 2007.  He held five community meetings to discuss his plan for universal health care.  On March 9 he did community meetings at Council Bluffs Senior Center in Council Bluffs; and at Sanford Community Center in Sioux City.  On March 10 he did community meetings at UAW Local #997 in Newton; at Indian Hills Community College's Advanced Technology Center in Ottumwa; and at Burlington Convention Hall in Burlington.

February
>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on February 17-18, 2007. On the evening of February 17 he spoke at the Scott County Democrats’ Annual Red, White & Blue Banquet at the Starlite Ballroom (Mississippi Fairgrounds) in Davenport.  Early on the afternoon of February 18 he held a town hall and discussed his plan for universal health care, followed by a media availability at Grand River Center in Dubuque.

January
>Former Sen. John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards held a town hall "to discuss President Bush’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq" in Iowa Memorial Union at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa mid-afternoon on January 20, 2007.
 

2006 (11 visits: 19 days)
>As part of his announcement tour former Sen. John Edwards made a short speech and held a town hall meeting at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines, Iowa on the afternoon of December 28, 2006.

>Former Sen. John Edwards signed copies of his new book, “HOME: The Blueprints of Our Lives,” at the Barnes & Noble on University Avenue in West Des Moines, Iowa on the evening of November 29, 2006.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on October 14-15, 2006.
On October 14 he attended a fundraiser for the Buchanan County Democrats at Two Brothers Restaurant in Independence; attended a fundraiser for State House candidate Art Staed at Blend Restaurant in Cedar Rapids; attended a fundraiser for State Representative Ro Foege at Solon Public Library in Solon; delivered the keynote address, speaking on poverty at the annual symposium of the University of Iowa College of Law's Journal of Gender, Race and Justice at the College of Law's Boyd Law Building in Iowa City; attended a fundraiser for State Senate candidate Becky Schmitz at Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Building in Fairfield; and attended a fundraiser for the Lee County Democrats at Comfort Inn & Suites in Fort Madison.
On October 15 he attended a fundraiser for State Senator Keith Kreiman at Ottumwa High School cafeteria in Ottumwa; attended a fundraiser for State House candidate Eric Palmer at William Penn University's Student Union in Oskaloosa; and attended a rally for local Democratic candidates with State Rep. Geri Huser at Adventureland Inn in Altoona.

[Not counting as an Iowa visit but of note: Sen. John Edwards spoke at the 39th Annual Quad Cities Salute to Labor picnic sponsored by the Rock Island County Democratic Party and the Quad City Federation of Labor at Illiniwek Park in Hampton, Illinois (directly across the river from the Davenport-Bettendorf area) on September 4, 2007.  (This was the second of three Labor Day stops).]

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on August 10-12, 2006.
He was the keynote speaker at the Annual Democratic Wing Ding the sponsored by the Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Winnebago County Democrats at the Historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake on the evening of August 10.  Overnight in Mason City.
Starting midday on August 11 he attended a fundraiser for State Senator Daryl Beall at Community Orchard in Fort Dodge; met with the Des Moines Register ed board; was the special guest at a fundraiser for State Senate candidate Rich Olive at the Big Bluestem Shelter in Moore Park, Ames; and attended a fundraiser for Dallas County Democrats at Prairie View Middle School gym in Waukee.
Starting late morning on August 12 he attended a lunch fundraising event for Marion County Democratic Party at the Swamp Fox restaurant in Knoxville; attended a fundraiser for state House candidate John Calhoun at the home of Judy Anderson and Tom Leffler in Johnston; and attended a fundraiser for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidate Denise O’Brien at the Des Moines Botanical Center in Des Moines.

>Former Sen. John Edwards spoke at the 2006 Iowa State Education Association Summer Conference at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa on August 1, 2006.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on July 7, 2006.  He attended a fundraiser for congressional candidate Dave Loebsack at The Blue Strawberry Restaurant in Cedar Rapids; met privately with people who have been affected by predatory lending at the MidAmerica Housing Partnership in Cedar Rapids and then held a media availability; and was the special guest at the 2nd Annual Warren County Bar-B-Q at Memorial Park in Indianola.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on June 11-12, 2006.  Late on the afternoon of June 11 he campaigned for congressional candidate Bruce Braley at United Steel Workers Hall in Bettendorf.  On June 12 he campaigned for gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver at 504 East Bloomington St. in Iowa City; he and Chet Culver visited Maytag workers during their shift change at the Maytag Plant in Newton; he attended a fundraiser for congressional candidate Bruce Braley at The Plaza in Des Moines; and he spoke at the Iowa Change to Win Convention at the Quality Inn in Des Moines.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited western Iowa on May 25, 2006.  He attended a fundraiser for State Representative Paul Shomshor at 3018 Avenue M in Council Bluffs; met with people who struggle with poverty at The FAMILY Program/Loess Hills Area Education Agency in Council Bluffs and then held a media availability; and spoke at a fundraiser for the Woodbury County Democratic Party at the Quality Inn in Sioux City.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on April 8-10, 2006.
On April 8 he attended a fundraiser for the Black Hawk County Democratic Party at Central Middle School in Waterloo; met with people who are struggling with poverty and then hold a media availability at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo; attended a fundraiser for state Representative candidate Andrew Wenthe, who worked for Edwards' 2004 campaign, at the American Legion Hall in Oelwein; attended a fundraiser for the Dubuque County Democratic Party at Washington Park in Dubuque; and attended the Linn County Democratic Party Hall of Fame Dinner at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids.
On April 9 he met with people who are struggling with poverty and then held a media availability at Hawkeye Area Community Action Program in Hiawatha; attended a fundraiser for the Tama County Democratic Party at the American Legion in Tama; attended a fundraiser for the Jasper County Democratic Party at O'Kelley's Steakhouse in Baxter; and attended fundraiser for state Senate candidate Staci Appel at the home of Roxanne Conlin in Des Moines.
On April 10 he met privately with people who are struggling with poverty and then held a media availability at the United Way Building in Des Moines.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on March 18-19, 2006.  On March 18 he headlined a fundraiser for Ankeny Area Democrats at the Best Western Metro North in Ankeny; and attended the Story County Democrats’ St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser at the Sons of Norway Lodge in Story City.  On March 19 he met privately with people who have been negatively affected by predatory lending at Trinity United Methodist Church in Des Moines, and then hold a media availibility.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited  Iowa on February 25-26, 2006.  On February 25 he attended a fundraiser for the Johnson County Democratic Party at Vito’s Restaurant in Iowa City; met privately with people struggling with poverty and held a media availability afterwards at Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County-Pheasant Ridge Center in Iowa City; attended a fundraiser for the Henry County Democratic Party at Iowa Weslyan College-John Wesley Holland Student Union in Mount Pleasant; attended a fundraiser for the Des Moines County Democratic Party at West Burlington High School in West Burlington; and keynoted the Scott County Democratic Party's Red White & Blue Banquet in the Starlite Ballroom at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport.  On February 26 he met privately with people struggling with poverty and held a media availability afterwards at United Neighbors in Davenport; and attended a fundraiser for the Muscatine County Democratic Party.
 

2005 (4 visits: 6 days)
>Former Sen. John Edwards appeared at the 28th Annual Harkin Steak Fry at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Indianola, Iowa on September 18, 2005.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on August 19-20, 2005.  (Edwards had planned to address the Iowa Federation of Labor on the evening of August 18, but was delayed by bad weather in Chicago).  On August 19 he delivered remarks at the Iowa Federation of Labor's annual convention at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo; held a media availability at Payne Memorial Church in Waterloo; held a media availability at Horizons Family Service Alliance in Cedar Rapids; and attended a fundraiser for the House Democratic Caucus at the Ramada Inn in Cedar Rapids.  On August 20 he delivered remarks to the Iowa Farmer's Union at the Best Western in Marshalltown.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on June 14, 2005.  He addressed a statewide conference of the Iowa Coalition for Housing and the Homeless at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines; met with Maytag workers in Newton; and did a fundraiser for state Senate Democrats at a private home in Des Moines.

>Former Sen. John Edwards visited Iowa on March 31-April 1, 2005.  On the evening of March 31 he delivered the keynote speech at an event honoring Congressman Leonard Boswell for 20 years of public service, held at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines.  On April 1 he taped Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" in Johnston; joined striking APWU truck drivers on a picket line at Mail Contractors of America in Des Moines; met with inner-city groups at Urban Dreams in Des Moines (Urban Dreams is the organization founded by Wayne Ford >), and held a thank you reception at The Temple for the Performing Arts Recital Hall in Des Moines.
 
 

See also: Sen. Edwards' 2003-04 visits to Iowa and Kerry-Edwards Iowa visits.
 

Copyright © 2007, 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action